How To Heal a Lower Back Injury

Of all injuries, those in the lower back are usually some of the most difficult to treat and heal. Whether you are sitting down, standing up, or walking, the lower back is the part of the body that is constantly in use. If you have a lower back injury, here are some steps to heal it.

1. Cool down. First of all, remember that you should not apply heat on your lower back right after you have sustained an injury. Typically hot compresses are used for injured muscles, but this should not be applied when the injured muscle group is the lower back. Applying heat will increase blood circulation, which means that more blood will be able to flow and nourish the area. More blood, however, also means that you will feel the pain more. Use cold compresses on your lower back for the first three days instead, to prevent any swelling and stop pain. After the first 72 hours, the back should be strong enough for you to be able to apply hot compresses.

2. Visit the doctor. Almost all types of lower back injury should be treated by a doctor immediately. Again, applying cold compresses can alleviate minor pain, but will not actually resolve the problem. Contact your doctor as soon as possible and ask for a consult. Only a doctor will be able to diagnose the extent of damage that has been done on your back. Only a doctor will be able to determine the type of treatment that you need. A doctor will also be able to prescribe medication to help remove pain.